Hermanson was 6-2 with a 1.35 ERA and 42:4 K:BB ratio in 53.1 innings for Minnesota's Rookie Gulf Coast League team. "He has a high percentage of first-pitch strikes, so he's an enforcer of action," Twins minor league pitching coordinator Eric Rasmussen told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "He pitches the way you're supposed to pitch, which is make them hit the ball. He doesn't look to strike people out. He looks to pitch."

Hermsen was Minnesota's minor-league pitcher of the year in 2012 with a 3.22 ERA and 75:25 K:BB ratio in 139.2 innings at Double-A New Britain, but had low strikeout rates (just 4.8 K/9). He struggled last season by going 1-10 while striking out just 35 batters over 86 innings at Double-A. He was removed from the 40-man roster at the end of the season and will need to rebuild his career in Double-A.